The incumbent MP for North East Hampshire, Ranil Jayawardena, has refused to take part in a Gazette feature profiling candidates ahead of the upcoming General Election.

The Conservative candidate, who is now seeking re-election, first stood in 2015, and retained his seat with a massive majority in 2017.

However, when the Gazette approached him to take part in its feature profiling candidates standing across the three constituencies in the area, Mr Jayawardena refused to take part.

A member of his team cited that some of the questions were too personal, and that it was not the type of thing they wished to take part in.

The full list of questions are included below, with some including 'what was the last thing you ate?' and 'what is your favourite restaurant in North East Hampshire?'.

The feature is part of the Gazette's coverage of the upcoming General Election, which will see people going to the polls in December for the first time in nearly a century.

The seat of North East Hampshire was first created in 1997, and has been held by the Conservative Party since.

In 2017, whilst Mr Jayawardena's vote share fell by 0.4%, he maintained a massive majority, and was the only candidate to get over 20% of the vote.

He faces competition this year from Labour's Barry Jones and the Liberal Democrat's Graham Cockarill, who have both stood for the seat twice before.

Also on the ballot paper is the Green Party's Culann Walsh, Independent candidate Tony Durrant and the Monster Raving Loony Party's leader "Howling Laud" Hope.

The full list of 21 questions asked to every candidate across Basingstoke, North East and North West Hampshire:

  • Name:
  • Age:
  • Education background:
  • Profession before running for MP:
  • Family life:
  • What car do you drive?
  • Where did you last go on holiday?
  • What was the last thing you ate?
  • Have you ever taken illegal drugs?
  • When was the last time you cried?
  • What is your favourite book of all time?
  • What are you ties to the area you hope to represent?
  • What’s your favourite restaurant in North East Hampshire?
  • Where do you do your food shopping?
  • Describe your perfect Friday night:
  • What’s your favourite drink?
  • Best place in Hampshire in your opinion?
  • Do you think MPs should be allowed to hire their family members?
  • In a sentence, why do you deserve the gig?
  • What do you think the biggest issue facing residents of North East Hampshire is?
  • In a sentence, what do you want to change if you are elected?

You can hear from the rest of the candidates across the three constituencies in this Thursday's Gazette.